Skeet shooting target game

ABSTRACT

A target game having a stationary display that provides the capabilities to mimic moving targets. The target game generally comprises a game board, a control panel and a dart gun which may be used both indoors and outdoors. The game board has an upper frame, a lower frame and at least one target surface therebetween. At least some of the embodiments described herein, have three target positions, each with at least one illustration of a clay target. In use, the target surface has electrical components which will sequentially activate and illuminate target areas within a variety of positions on the target surface. When illuminated the target positions may be hit with a dart, which will be recorded as a hit by related sensors, thus simulating a clay pigeon being shot.

BACKGROUND

Although many amusement games exist, player/users often seek variety andare looking for different playing experiences. Further, the convenienceof in-home games is also desirable, since this allows continued play atconvenient times. One mechanism to allow convenient in-home play ofseveral games, such as dart boards, miniature basketball hoops, etc., isthe use of appropriate hooks and related supports which allow players tohang the game from the top of a door. That said, the type of game andsize of the play surfaces create significant limitations. Consequently,many of these games are simply miniature versions of the equipment usedin the typical or well recognized version of the game. Additionally,outside games, such as skeet shooting require a prescribed amount ofspace which allow for items to be tossed or thrown. Based on thisrequirement, many of these games require locations that are notpopulated or provide a prescribed play area (e.g. a licensed trapshooting facility to facilitate skeet shooting).

In some cases, simulations of certain games can be provided indoors solong as appropriate adjustments are made. For example, a projectilelauncher toy gun can be used indoors to allow for shooting at stationarytargets. Alternatively, lasers can be “shot” at certain targets, butthis requires more complicated equipment and systems (often requiringthat the “laser gun” is electrically connected to the game system). Ascan be appreciated, it is difficult to provide for such a system that iseasily movable and conveniently positionable within a home.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an over-the-doortarget game.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the over-the-door target game with anexploded perspective view of the hook assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the over-the-door target game with anexploded perspective view of the hook assembly.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the over-the-door target game with anexploded perspective view of the attachment mechanism for the gun rackassembly.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the dart rack and the plurality ofdarts.

FIG. 5B is an exploded view of a portion of the dart gun, the dart rackand the plurality of darts, with the dart rack being attached to thedart gun.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the dart rack and the plurality ofdarts attached to the dart gun.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the gun rack and the dart gun.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the gun rack and the dart gun attachedthereto.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the control panel.

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of the over-the-door target gameshowing a first target position illuminated.

FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of the over-the-door target gameshowing a second target position illuminated.

FIG. 8C is a front perspective view of the over-the-door target gameshowing a third target position illuminated.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative floor standing version ofan embodiment of a target game.

DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1illustrates one embodiment of a target game 10 that generally comprisesa game board 20, a control panel 70 and a dart gun 48.

The game board 20 has an upper frame 30, a lower frame 28 and at leastone target surface 22 therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, forexample, target surface 22 has three target zones or positions 42, 44,46, each having at least one target area 26 therein. While FIGS. 1 and 8illustrate an embodiment having disks or clay pigeons, it will beappreciated that each target area 26 may include alternative images,depending on the desired nature or theme of the game (e.g. cans, balls,vegetables, ducks, geese, pheasants, grouse, wild pigs, gophers, deer,bears, zombies, aliens, space ships, cartoon figures, players in asporting event such as football, dodge ball, lacrosse, etc.). In use, asdiscussed further below, target surface 22 has appropriate electricalconnections to allow the various target positions 42, 44, 46 to beactivated at different times. In addition, the various target areas 26within a particular target positions 42, 44, 46 could each be activatedseparately thus providing several variations in the way the game can beoperated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, game board 20 is illustrated having a strap32 positioned between upper frame 30 and a hook assembly 34. As shown,strap 32 may include a means for adjusting the strap length, such as astrap adjuster 33. Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, strap 32 iscoupled to a hook assembly 34 which includes a center plate 38 and apair of hook members 36.

The hook assembly 34, as better shown in the enlarged sections of FIGS.2 and 3, includes hook members 36 and a central plate 38 all preferablymade of plastic material or other suitably rigid yet resilient material.Central plate 38 has a front side 39, a back side (not shown), and twoprojecting arms 40 which allow for hook members 36 to be receivedthrough clips 47 positioned along the front side of front leg 37. Whenassembled, the hook members 36 are attached to each side of the centralplate 38 by outwardly projecting arms 40 received within clips 47. Thecentral plate 38 includes an aperture 69 for receiving one end of thestrap 32. The other end of the strap 32 is secured to the upper frame30. The strap 32 preferably includes a strap adjuster 33, such as atri-glide strap adjuster or any other suitable strap adjustment hardwarefamiliar to those of ordinary skill in the art. The strap adjuster 33may optionally be combined with a quick release connector such as aside-release buckle or any other suitable connector to allow for quickand easy height adjustment without having to remove the hook assembly 34from the door 15.

Hook members 36 includes a front leg 37 and a back leg 41 joinedtogether by a top member 43. The legs 37, 41 are resilient and angledinwardly toward one another, while the top member 43 is preferably ofsufficient length to receive the widest standard residential orcommercial door (having a typical thickness of approximately 2 inches).The inward angling of the resilient legs 37, 41 allows hook members 36to snugly receive the thinnest standard residential or commercial doorthickness (approximately 1⅜ inches).

Although the above described hook assembly 34 proud's one effectiveembodiment, several other alternatives are clearly possible. Thesealternatives would include a simple hook structure which simply capturesthe top edge of the door, or many other well recognized methods to hangitems.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6A, gun rack 77 is shown having aconnection plate 78, a pair of lower supports 80 and an upper support82. Gun rack 77 is positioned along the back wall of control panel 70 soit does not interfere with other components. As shown in FIG. 4, gunrack 77 has two appendages (not shown) that are matingly attached toreceiving slots 84 where gun rack 77 is slid into receiving slots 84 andthen pressed down to mechanically couple gun rack 77 to the rear portionof control panel 70.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, dart gun 48 is shown having a stock 54, abarrel 56 and a trigger 58. The barrel 56 may further include an opening(not shown) which is adapted to receive dart 50. As best shown in FIGS.5 and 6, barrel 56 and stock 54 may comprise an outer hollow housing andan interior firing mechanism (not shown) configured to propel or projecta dart 50 outwardly from the dart gun 48. It is understood that thiscould be achieved using mechanical force, pressurized air, or any otherappropriate mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the stock 54 maybe configured with a grip portion 60 and a finger guard opening 62 thatmay be grasped by a user in a manner allowing the user to pull a trigger58 to fire dart gun 48. The trigger 58 may be configured to actuate theinterior mechanism of dart gun 48 when trigger 58 is squeezed by theuser in a manner known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 where dart 50 is best shown comprisinga foam shaft 90, a suction cup head 92 and a collar 94. When in use,dart 50 is first loaded into dart gun 48. More specifically, the foamshaft 90 of dart 50 is inserted into barrel 56. The shaft 90 of dartpasses through the barrel tip and into the tube until the collar 94 ofdart 50 engages the barrel tip and creates a generally air tight seal.Once dart 50 is seated, the trigger 58 is squeezed by a user. In thisembodiment, which makes use of a spring mechanism to propel dart 50,activation of trigger 58 releases a spring mechanism, therebytransferring the force of the cocked spring to dart 50. This mechanicalrelease of spring provides a sudden high pressure along the back edge ofdart 50 that displaces dart 50 from barrel 56, thereby launching dart 50into flight.

As shown in FIG. 5B, stock 54 may further comprise a dart rack 52configured to receive extra darts 50 for storage prior to loading intodart gun 48. Dart gun 48 may also include a slide member 64 slidablydisposed on the exterior. The slide member 64 may be operativelyconnected to the interior firing mechanism of dart gun 48 such that whenthe slide member 64 is drawn rearward by the user, the interior firingmechanism to move to a cocked position in preparation for dischargingdart 50 from barrel 56. Dart rack 52 further includes pliable brackets51 for holding darts 50 when not in use. Brackets 51 are fashioned in amanner to allow darts 50 to be removably secured to gun rack 77 withoutinadvertent disengagement. However, when a user desires a dart 50 asmall amount of force being applied to dart 50 will allow a user toremove a dart for loading in dart gun 48.

FIGS. 5B and 5C show the slide member 64 which provides a “cocking”action for the dart gun 48. Dart gun 48 is illustrated with the slidemember 64 disposed in the “uncocked” forward position on the dart gun 48with the dart (not shown) disposed in the barrel 56. When in use, slidemember 64 is drawn rearwardly on the housing of dart gun 48 to the“cocked” position. Access to the interior of the dart gun 48 and,consequently, the interior firing mechanism, may be provided via a slot66 through the walls of dart gun 48. In one example embodiment, a springis disposed on the interior of the housing, and may be connected at oneend to the interior of the housing, and at the opposite end to the slidemember 64 such that the spring applies a force to the slide member 64biasing the slide member 64 to its forward position on the dart gun 48.After the slide member 64 is drawn rearward to the “cocked” positionsuch that the interior mechanism of the dart gun 48 is ready for firingand the slide member 64 may return to the “uncocked” forward position(as best illustrated in FIG. 5C).

Referring still to FIG. 5, where trigger 58 extends through the stock 54within a finger guard opening 62. The trigger 58 may be secured to aninterior portion of the stock 54 by a securement means, such as a screwor bolt (not shown). A spring may be disposed between the trigger 58 anda support along the interior wall of stock 54 such that the springbiases the trigger 58 toward its forward position.

Although the above embodiment discusses the use of darts 50 and a dartgun 48 it is contemplated that other devices could also be used, such asbow and arrow structures, hand launched darts, thrown balls, etc. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that virtually any projectile, capableof making contact with target surface 22 could be used. As discussedherein, darts is one example embodiment, that adapts to many themes. Inaddition, footballs could be used in a football theme game. Naturally,any type of projectile launching device could also be used.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, game board 20 is associated with a controlpanel 70 which generally includes a processor (not shown), a powersupply 74 (e.g., a battery, AC power, etc.), a speaker 100, an on/offbutton 105 (i.e. power and/or reset), at least one control button 110,such as next shooter/scroll button (110A) and/or an enter/sound button(110B), and/or a display 76. As will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art, the processor will receive power from the power supply 74, andmay be in data communication with target surface 22, speaker 100, on/offbutton 105, at least one control button 110 and/or a display 76. Theprocessor includes programming (e.g., software or firmware) to actuatethe power supply 74, to cooperate with the appropriate sensors (notshown) located at each of the particular target positions 42, 44, 46,and to carry out the play of the game. In one embodiment, capacitivesensors are utilized, and changes in relative capacitance can bedetected, which will typically indicate a “hit”. As the game is played,these changes in capacitance can be detected by the processor which isthen able to carry out appropriate scoring or game play. If appropriate,processor will send a signal to display 76 indicating a score for theshooting party. This score will then be registered on display 76.

In another alternative embodiment, physical sensors are used to detectphysical force created by darts 50 making physical contact with therelated target area 26. Based upon this detected physical force, anelectrical signal is sent to the processor, again signaling a “hit”.With this information, the processor can then execute the programmedscoring methodology.

Processor may additionally include programming to cause the display 76to announce a detected “hit”. The display 76 may include, for example, avisual display, such as player, round, shooter score, shooter percentageor volume indicator (i.e. a diagonal line through an illustration ofspeaker indicating “no sound”), a visual alert on display 76 and/or anaudible alarm. The audible alarm may, for example, include sounds suchas a shotgun being shot and/or a clay pigeon being hit. Alternatively,the display could announce “hit” if the activated target position 42,44, 46 is hit.

Referring now to FIG. 8, which helps to illustrate one method ofoperating target game 10. When in use, a player will start the game byhitting the on/off button 105. At this time, the user will load dart 50as described above, and be ready to start the play of the game. In oneembodiment, the game will start with at least one target area 26 in thefirst target position 42 being illuminated. As shown in FIG. 8A, bothtarget areas 26 within first target position 42 are illuminated(illumination shown in solid lines for the targets and radial accentlines). This illumination will be for a predetermined time interval.Once the time interval has expired desired target areas within thesecond target position 42 will illuminate (again shown in solid linesand radial accent lines) (see FIG. 8B). Finally, upon the predeterminedtime interval for second target position 44 expiring, third targetposition 46 will illuminate (again shown in solid lines and radialaccent lines) for a predetermined period of time. While illuminated, itis anticipated that this portion of the game board 20 is a target forthe player to shoot at. If a projectile, such as dart 50 makes contactwith a target area 26 when illuminated, the control panel 70 will addthe number of points for a particular player depending on what position42, 44, 46 was hit while illuminated. In this embodiment, the pointsdrop as the targets move up the board.

The sequential nature of target game 10 provides a visualization ofskeet shooting where the faster a target is hit with dart 50, the morepoints that can be earned for that round. It should be appreciated thatvariables may be established prior to beginning the game like number ofplayers, number of rounds, sound on/off, shooter percentage, etc. Inaddition, by having individual targets illuminated in varying sequences,target game 10 can create an impression of targets moving in differentdirections. For example, the targets can be illuminated along either theright or left side of game board 20. Alternatively, the target can bemoved up through the middle and then further upward to either the rightor the left. This will provide a different and alternative path for thetargets, and thus a different impression. Naturally, many alternativesare possible.

Although the above discussion involves an embodiment or embodimentswhich are suspended from a door, FIG. 9 shows yet another embodimentwhere the game board 120 is supported by a free standing frame 130. Thisembodiment provides further alternatives for users and illustratesadditional features. Standing frame 130 includes a base structure 132, apair of uprights 134, a top frame support member 136, a bottom framesupport member 138 and a holding crossbar 140. Game board 120 is formedof a flexible material, which creates a main target panel or targetsurface 122, and supports a plurality of target areas 142, 144, 146. Aswill be appreciated, each target area 142, 144, 146 can be separatelyilluminated, and designated as a target (similar to the target areasdiscussed above). Additionally, each target area 142, 144, 146 includesa sensor (not shown) to detect when this portion of target surface 122has been struck by a projectile of some type (e.g. a dart, arrow, ball,etc. as discussed above). Further, different point values can beassigned, for example target areas 144 are assigned values of 10 points,while target areas 146 are assigned values of 5 points. Target surface122 is coupled to frame members 134, 136, 138 using tabs 124, 126, 128.Also, controller 150 is coupled to the target areas, to accommodate thegame operation as generally discussed above. This structure uses astraight forward collection of tubular frame members attached to createthe desired structure to support game board 50. Naturally, severalalternatives are possible.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 further illustrates the use of alternativetarget patterns. As shown, additional target areas 142, 144, 146 existin this embodiment, when compared with FIG. 1. This will again providefor further variation in game operation.

While particular examples of the dart gun 48, control panel 70 and gameboard 20 are illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the artwill understand that other configurations of the target game may beimplemented. The foregoing description is presented to enable one ofordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is providedin the context of a patent application and its requirements. Variousmodifications to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and thegeneral principles and features of the system and methods describedherein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, thepresent invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of theapparatus and methods described herein and illustrated in the drawings,but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. An over-the-door target game configured for use with at least oneprojectile capable of being propelled toward a target surface: a hookassembly capable of receiving a top edge of a standard door, saidstandard door having a substantially vertical face; a game boardsupporting the target surface, said target surface having at least onetarget area; a game support having one end operably secured to the hookassembly and another end connected to the game board disposed a desireddistance down from the top edge of the door; and a control panel inelectrical communication with the game board, wherein the control panelis capable of highlighting the at least one target area and designatingthe highlighted area as a target, and where the control panel is capableof determining if the target has been struck by the at least one dartwhile it is highlighted.
 2. The over-the-door target game of claim 1wherein the game is configured for use with a dart gun capable ofpropelling the projectile, the control panel further comprises a gunrack.
 3. The over-the-door target game of claim 1 wherein the controlpanel further comprises a digital display.
 4. The over-the-door targetgame of claim 1 wherein the dart gun further comprises a dart rackwherein the dart rack is removably coupled to the dart gun.
 5. Theover-the-door target game of claim 1 wherein the dart gun furthercomprises a slide member to position the dart gun in a cockedconfiguration.
 6. The over-the-door target game of claim 1 wherein thestrap further comprises a strap adjuster to vary the height of the gameboard to said top edge of said door.
 7. The over-the-door target game ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one target area has a sensor in electricalcommunication with the control panel.
 8. The over-the-door target gameof claim 7 wherein the target surface further comprises at least onetarget position which contains the at least one target area.
 9. Theover-the-door target game of claim 7 wherein the target surface furthercomprises at least two target positions wherein each of the targetpositions comprises a plurality of target areas, and wherein the controlpanel is capable of highlighting the target areas in a predeterminedmanner so as to create the impression of a flying target.
 10. Theover-the-door target game of claim 9 wherein the plurality of targetpositions comprise illustrations selected from a group consisting ofcans, balls, vegetables, ducks, geese, pheasants, grouse, wild pigs,gophers, deer, bears, zombies, aliens, space ships, cartoon figures,etc.
 11. An target game configured for use with at least one flyingprojectile, the target game comprising: a game board having at least onetarget surface, said target surface having a plurality of target areas;a game support configured to position the target surface in a desiredlocation so the at least one flying projectile can be propelled at thetarget surface; and a control panel in electrical communication with thegame board, wherein the control panel is capable of highlighting theplurality of target areas in a predetermined sequence and designatingthe highlighted target area as a target, and where the control panel iscapable of determining if the target has been struck by the at least oneprojectile while it is highlighted.
 12. The target game of claim 11wherein the flying projectile is a dart which is propelled by a dartgun, and wherein the control panel further comprises a gun rack forsupporting the dart gun.
 13. The target game of claim 12 wherein thedart gun further comprises a dart rack wherein, the dart rack isremovably coupled to the dart gun.
 14. The target game of claim 12wherein the dart gun further comprises a slide member to position thedart gun to a cocked configuration.
 15. The target game of claim 11wherein the control panel further comprises a digital display.
 16. Thetarget game of claim 11 wherein the at least one target area furthercomprises at least one target position.
 17. The target game of claim 11wherein each of the at least one target areas further comprises at leasttwo target positions wherein each of the target positions can beseparately highlighted by the controller to create the impression of amoving target.
 18. The method of using an over-the-door target game,configured for use with a flying projectile, the steps comprising:positioning the target game, the target game comprising, a hook assemblycapable of receiving a top edge of a standard door, said standard doorhaving a substantially vertical face; a game board having a targetsurface, said target surface having at least one target area; a gamesupport strap having one end operably secured to the hook assembly andanother end connected to the game board disposed a desired distance downfrom the top edge of the door; and a control panel in electricalcommunication with the game board, wherein the control panel is capableof highlighting the at least one target area and designating thehighlighted area as a target, and where the control panel is capable ofdetermining if the target has been struck by the at least one dart whileit is highlighted; initiating use of the target game via the controlpanel; and operating the game to highlight at least one target area fora predetermined period of time and determining if the target area hasbeen struck by the flying projectile while highlighted.
 19. The methodof claim 18 wherein the target surface further comprises a first targetposition, a second target position and a third target position, whereineach of said target positions comprises at least one of the targetareas.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step ofilluminating at least one of the target areas within the first targetposition.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step ofilluminating at least one of the target areas within the second targetposition after the at least one of the target areas within the firsttarget position is no longer illuminated.
 22. The method of claim 21further comprising the step of illuminating the at least one of thetarget areas within the third target position after the at least one ofthe target areas within the second target position is no longerilluminated.
 23. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step ofcommencing an illumination sequence, the sequence comprising,illuminating at least one of the target areas within the first targetposition; illuminating at least one of the target areas within thesecond target position after the at least one of the target areas withinthe first target position is no longer illuminated; illuminating the atleast one of the target areas within the third target position after theat least one of the target areas within the second target position is nolonger illuminated.
 24. The method of claim 23 further comprising thestep of terminating the illumination sequence upon an illuminated targetarea being hit with the dart.